| Association for Molecular Pathology |
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Karen Snow-Bailey We are surely diminished and deeply saddened by the untimely loss of Karen Snow-Bailey, a superb geneticist and molecular laboratory scientist who worked tirelessly for the improvement of clinical molecular genetics. Her energy and determination translated into numerable initiatives to advance the quality of laboratory technology and performance. Her glowing smile, gentle demeanor, and friendly personality enriched all who knew her as much as her expertise, skill, and knowledge enriched our field. She will be greatly missed. Last year in her personal statement for AMP elections, Karen envisioned that AMP would “extend our communications and discussions surrounding lab accreditation, personnel certification, proficiency testing, and regulation of home-brew testing to international colleagues. I am certain that increased international interaction between molecular pathologists will facilitate the evolution of molecular pathology and will be important for the ongoing standardization of best clinical practice.” As a lasting testament to Karen’s considerable accomplishments and to honor her memory we should dedicate ourselves to fulfilling this worthy vision. Submitted by
Barbara Zehnbauer, President of AMP It is with great regret and deep personal sadness that I notify the AMP membership that Dr. Karen Snow-Bailey passed away on October 10 in New Zealand. Karen was one of the pioneers of molecular diagnostics and an elected leader of AMP in its early years. It was under her watch as Chair of the Clinical Practice Committee (CPC) that the first phases of the online AMP Test Directory were accomplished. Even after Karen moved from Mayo back home to New Zealand to be closer to her family, and after her term as Chair of CPC was over, she continued to spearhead the efforts to get the AMP Test Directory online. More recently, she has served as an Associate Editor of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. I will always remember her as a bright, innovative, caring, and trustworthy person who cared deeply about her family, her scientific colleagues, and mankind. A bright light of molecular diagnostics has dimmed. I hope that we can all dedicate ourselves to advance the translation of molecular pathology to benefit humanity on behalf of Karen’s memory. Submitted by
Mark E. Sobel, AMP Executive Officer Karen Snow Bailey will be remembered by many of us for her cheerful spirit and keen intellect. I remember her best for her unflagging confidence in AMP's ability to develop the on-line Test Directory. She led that effort superbly, even while moving from one continent to another. Whenever there was a question or a problem, she was available to roll up her sleeves and get to work on the solution. We have greatly benefitted from her scientific expertise and from her engaging personality and the Test Directory's success is a tribute to her. I join her friends and colleagues in extending sympathy to her family and to each other for our untimely loss. Submitted by
Frances A. Pitlick, former AMP Executive Officer Karen was a good and trusted friend of mine and my wife, Loretta. One of the best times was the day we spent with Karen and Richard in Tucson a number of years back. Richard and I loved touring the Pima Air and Space Museum and Karen and Loretta had a good time making fun of our boyish leanings. Karen was an early mentor of mine in molecular diagnostics and then a valued friend, colleague, collaborator and co-author. We served a number of years together on the ACMG/CAP Biochemical and Molecular Genetics Resource Committee where her knowledge and experience was invaluable to the committee and resulted in a great benefit to the genetic testing community. I will miss her greatly. Submitted by
Timothy Stenzel I remember my first contact from Karen. She was wondering if we could set up a sample exchange between the Southeastern Region molecular diagnostic proficiency group and her lab "Down Under". Next thing I know she is here working on the same projects in ACMG and other organizations that I was. Wherever I turned there was her smile and her fantastically clear vision of whatever problem we were working on. Even though I have not seen her personally in several years, her electronically communicated expertise has been a constant. Now there is a hole in the world; a great loss to the field of genetic diagnostics and to the humanity of our world. My thoughts are sent to her family with great respect. Submitted by
Karla J Matteson It is with deep regret I learned of the loss of Karen. As Karen’s former fellow at Mayo Clinic, I had a great time with her during my fellowship. I was thrilled with her beautiful personality and enthusiasms. She was very bright and knowledgeable in molecular genetics. She supervised me for my fellowship and continued mentoring me with comments and advice throughout my career development. I am so sad for the loss of Karen. She will live in my heart forever. Best wishes to her family and her son, Nicholas. Submitted by
Rong Mao, MD, Medical Director, Molecular Genetics, ARUP
Laboratories I am so sad to hear of the loss of Karen Snow Bailey. She was one of those truly wonderful colleagues who makes working in this field so enjoyable. Karen contributed a great deal to so many areas of AMP over the years, and did so in her quiet, reliable, hardworking, and top-quality style. She served the past few years as an Associate Editor of the Journal, and did a terrific job. It was always a pelasure to see her at the meetings, having traveled so far--she will be greatly missed! Submitted by
Kare Kaul, Editor in Chief, Journal of Molecular
Diagnostics My sincere condolences to the family. I worked with Karen at CPC committe many years ago. She was a very lovely person. Submitted by
Meera Hameed It is with deep sadness and regret that I have heard the loss of Karen. I remember the day I first met Karen very well. I became a junior member of a CAP/ACMG Biochemical and Molecular Genenetics Committee. At a committee meeting that I attended for the first time, I was so nervous in front of big names of the field (all of whom turned out to be very friendly!). Karen was the first person who came to chat with me. By doing so, Karen indicated to me that there were all friendly people in the committee. I felt relaxed and at home in the committee. She has been a dear friend of mine ever since, even after she was back in NZ. As such a cheerful intelligent individual, Karen will be greatly missed. Karen is still living in my memory. Submitted by
Shuji Ogino This is truly a sad day for all of us who have known and interacted with Karen over the years. I first started working with Karen when she joined our training program in Molecular Genetics over 15 years ago. From the beginning, she had a presence in the laboratory that all of us could feel, appreciate and enjoy – she was bright, enthusiastic, warm, gentle and kind. She jumped into this new arena without hesitation and, for those of you that can remember, made significant early contributions to the field of Fragile X Syndrome, contributing to 9 papers within her first 3-4 years. She returned to New Zealand, in spite of our best efforts to lock her down (crying had very little effect), to continue her career in Molecular Diagnostics. We were all delighted and fortunate to have Karen return to the States, where she made significant contributions not only to the Mayo Clinic but at the National level as well – especially through her efforts and contributions to the Association for Molecular Pathology. She returned to New Zealand to be closer to Family and, of course, became an International presence. For those of you that do not know, Karen was also an artist. I am fortunate to have one of her paintings – a vase holding purple flowers, very much like Karen. She leaves many friends around the world, but especially in Rochester. We will miss Karen as a colleague, as a mentor, as an individual that had a vision for the future, but most importantly, as a friend to us all. I will miss having Karen around, whether she is in the office next door or on the other side of the world. We pray that she is now at peace. Submitted by
Stephen Thibodeau My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Karen Snow Bailey, my esteemend mentor, friend and colleague. I owe a lot to Karen, for her support and encouragement to help me enroll in and complete the ABMG program as a post-doctoral fellow at the Mayo Clinic. I will always remember her warm personality and her attention to detail and organizational skills. I saw her at the AMP meeting in Nov-2004, and she seemed so happy with her move back to New Zealand. We had communicated as early as April regarding some cases referred to us from her hospital in New Zealand. She will always be remembered fondly by all those whose lives she touched. May her soul rest in peace in its heavenly abode. Sincerely, Narasimhan Nagan Laboratory Director Athena Diagnostics Submitted by
NARASIMHAN NAGAN It is with such difficulty that I sit here trying to find words to express the depth of sadness I feel in learning that Karen passed away. I was a fellow in the Mayo Molecular Genetics lab while Karen trained and where she subsequently became a consultant. I fondly remember discussing difficult cases with her, as well as talks about life in general from our adjacent desks. And then there was that microscopic writing on hundreds of file cards she created to study for those first molecular boards--one needed a magnifying glass to read the writing-- but such was the attention to detail that Karen possessed! Karen was so enormously talented, yet always humble, and so industrious, yet always made time to help others. She had a delightful sense of humor, was a person of great integrity, and was a gifted teacher. She loved New Zealand (remember the slide show she surprised us all with at a lab meeting one day?). She was devoted to her family, her friends, and the science of genetics. My deepest sympathy extended to Karen's family and friends. Know that many, many people are joined with you in grieving the loss of this lovely person. Submitted by
Laney Lindor Karen and I received our training at about the same time at Mayo Clinic in the early 90’s. Karen was completing her clinical chemistry and clinical molecular genetics fellowships and I was doing my pathology residency and clinical molecular genetics fellowship. Later we worked together for a few years as colleagues in the Mayo Clinical Molecular Genetics laboratory. Karen was a top-notch clinical molecular geneticist and I always looked up to her. When I had a question she always seemed to have the answer or at least know where to find it. She was kind, honest, helpful to others, and just an all-around good person. What I particularly remember about Karen though was her wonderful smile and laugh. She was a beautiful person and we will miss her. Submitted by
Kevin Halling I am deeply shocked and saddened about the loss of Karen. My daily thoughts and prayers go out to Richard, Nicholas, all family and friends and to the field of Molecular Genetics. Karen had the warmest, most genuine smile. I will remember her always. Linda Thibodeau Submitted by
Linda Thibodeau Karen was a close friend and mentor. We worked together in NZ and she has been a constant source of support and enouragement.I will miss her greatly. May her soul rest in peace. Submitted by
Madhuri Hegde I am so saddened by the loss of Karen Snow. We were colleagues at Mayo together and I will always remember her laugh and gentle way of 'working' others on a committee to get a job done. She radiated a warmth and approachability that added so much to every room she was in. I was very sad when she left Mayo to go home to New Zealand and I know that everyone else was as well. I will always remember you with a smile, Karen. Submitted by
Pamela McGrann Karen was my niece and although I only had the pleasure of her company for the first 11 years of her life before she emigrated to New Zealand with my brother and family, I have the fondest memories of a caring and loving child. I only had the opportunity to see Karen once in her adult life when she visited the U.K. with her husband, and I was pleased to see that she was the same warm and caring person that I remembered as a child. Rest in peace. Karen Love from Aunty Phyl and Uncle John P Submitted by Mrs
Phyl Morton As Karen's parents we are overwhelmed by the tributes paid to her on this web site. Karen was so modest about her achievments & it was only after viewing her C.V. & reading comments about her that we realised how far she had risen in her chosen profession & how well she was regarded by everyone who had ever worked or had been in contact with her. She will be deeply missed by her family & we all thank everyone who have commiserated & shared their thoughts about Karen with us. Karen's Mum & Dad Submitted by
Jean & Derek Cartmell Karen was my cousin and I remember as a child. she was always a happy child. My mum, her Aunty Amy, was always so proud of her achievements. I'm sure now 'Aunty Amy' will be caring for her. Karen came back to visit England once. It was so good to spend that short time together. You will never be forgotten. Lots of love. Vicky Submitted by
Vicky Martin Karen and I grew up together as children but lost touch for a few years when she emigrated with her family to Auckland. But we soon began to write, and in about 1982 I visited the family whilst serving in the Merchant Navy. Karen was great, and along with Caroline, took me all over the place, out for meals, trips to the beach and even came on the ship I was serving, for a meal in the wardroom. It was almost like we had seen each other the previous week. Happy Days. Then I left the Navy and the next time I saw her was at my eldest sons christening (18 years ago!!), she just happened to be over in England and so stayed a night with us. Again it was like I had seen her the previous week, miss chatter box with a great smile. Since then we have always kept in touch just a couple of times a year, to trade gossip and what our families are upto. I will miss those e-mails and will miss her. My deepest sympathy to Richard and Nicholas, but also to the rest of the family, Jean, Derek, Caroline, Lorraine and Russell Submitted by
Dave Hulbert How very proud I am to be Little sister to Karen Snow-Bailey We were supposed to grow old together, my big sister and I Compare wrinkles, grey hairs and sip some wine Karen you are missed more than you will ever know Remembered with love and a warm fuzzy glow Now with tears I say fairwell In heaven we’ll meet – I know we will Submitted by
Caroline Fonagy Dear Karen, As one of your students in MEDSCI 706 this semester, I found you an excellent lecturer with a warm heart to your students and though I only talked once in person with you on the phone, I still felt that your loss was such a great pain to me whenever I recall our conversation. I wish you rest peacefully in the heaven and watch us with your everlasting warm bless. May God bless you. Submitted by
Chen (Cathy) I knew of Karen before I met her. Her name was fairly well known at Labplus and everyone was very excited when she came back to work at Labplus. She did a lot of wonderful things for the molecular genetics section and Diagnostic Genetics dept and it was an honour to have worked for her. She was always warm and friendly and seemed to handle any problem with a calm professionalism that was awesome. You will be missed. Submitted by
Zaheer Khan I was shocked to hear of Karen's passing. Her bright smile, her cheery countenance, her well-reasoned arguments, her knowlege of molecular genetics; all of these things always made her a pleasure to visit with, whether it was yearly at the AMP meeting or in her office at Mayo. She will be missed. Her untimely and too-soon passing remind us all that life is short and to be cherished. Those closest to Karen will gain some measure of solace in knowing that Karen cared deeply about her patients and helped alleviate suffering; what more noble effort is there to pursue on Earth. God rest your soul, Karen. Submitted by Dan
Farkas Karen was my sister I feel so sad that she is no longer with us. She was a beautiful person in every way and I will miss her so very much. Karen was the most thoughtful person I know, I remember when I first left NZ and had to spend my first xmas away by myself, she sent a xmas tree with decorations on it to cheer up my nursing room, she was always there for me. Karen was also very gifted in art, I have some of her porcelain dolls that she has made and they have become my most treasured items I look at them and remember all the good times we have had. Nicholas has lots to be proud of, his mummy was a wonderful person. One day I'm sure Richard will show him all these tributes to her and he will realise how special and lucky he was even to have had her for just a few precious years.I know I feel very lucky that she was my sister. The world is not the same without my sister here, I hope she is happy up there somewhere.When I get up there I'll have a few words to say to her because this is not how its supposed to be. For now though I cling on to all those happy memories. She will be in my heart always. Lorraine Submitted by
Lorraine Evans It is with great sadness that I find myself writing remembrances of Karen-Snow Bailey, a wonderful, warm and caring friend who prematurely discover life’s end. My first contact with Karen dates back to 2002 when I had the pleasure working with her and the AMP Clinical Practice Committee in designing the web-based Test Directory. I remember that she graciously lead this project even while in the midst of moving back to New Zealand from the US and never faltered one step. The AMP Test Directory is now a central resource for clinical laboratories internationally and only one testament to the numerous contributions that Karen made to the arena of Molecular Diagnostics. It was several years later at a workshop in Queenstown, New Zealand that I finally met Karen in person; and what a wonderful and memorable time that we all had. An evening cruise on Lake Wakatipu and dinner with Karen and her husband Richard and son Nicolas was a particularly enjoyable highlight of my trip. My sincerest condolences go to Karen’s family and many friends around the world. Peace. Submitted by
Terry Dunn, Oklahoma City
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